Library Assistant (Medicine)

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to work as a Library Assistant in Imperial College Library Services.

We are seeking applications from a broad range of candidates, including those who already have library experience, as well as people who have not worked in a library before but are interested in starting a career in libraries.

You will be based at Chelsea and Westminster Campus Library, delivering a first-class library service to a diverse user base including students and staff from the Faculty of Medicine, other College library users and members of staff from partner NHS trusts.

You’ll be part of a small team who work closely with the other medical campus library teams and the rest of Library Services to deliver high quality, efficient and effective library services that support teaching, learning, research and clinical care.  

As a Library Assistant you have an important role in ensuring all our users feel welcomed, supported and well informed. The role focuses on front-line user support and a high standard of customer care is required.

Duties and responsibilities

You will be responsible for answering general enquiries, providing membership services and keeping the library operating smoothly and safely. 

Key activities include:

• Welcoming library users at the Enquiries desk, assisting them (in person and via a variety of online platforms such as email and chat service) in the use of library services, resources and equipment using initiative and expertise to solve queries and issues or triage to other staff as necessary.
• User Services activities including, the registration of new users, creation, and maintenance of user accounts, issuing and returning of books, card payments and ensuring appropriate user behaviour. 
• Participating in shelving and tidying the book stock and carrying out other stock management activities such as disposal, stock-checks and inter-library and inter-campus loans. 

Essential requirements

• At least 5 GCSEs grade A-C, or equivalent qualifications.
• Experience of providing excellent frontline customer services.
• Confident user of a variety of software e.g., Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel.
• Experience of using a computer-based library management system or database that manages stock, customers or similar, to manage and maintain accurate records and workflows.
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong, user-orientated customer service skills, with an ability to deal with a wide range of enquiries and find helpful solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication, both face to face and via virtual or online platforms to communicate effectively to a variety of colleagues and library users.
• Active team member, flexible, co-operative and dedicated to helping your team deliver a great service together.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision in a planned and managed way, while balancing your workload with new requirements of the wider team or immediate user needs.
• Ability to solve day-to-day problems and use initiative to react creatively and positively when faced with new situations or opportunities for change.

Further information

• Salary: £34,273 – £37,180 pro rata
• Part time, permanent position.
• 0.5 FTE, 17.5 hours per week
  • The current hours are usually 9-5 Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesdays, as part of a job share. You may also be required to work 10.00 – 18.00 on some days to cover the hand over with the evening staff.
• This is a frontline, site-based position and not suitable for home or hybrid working.

Should you require any further details on the role contact: Emma Shaw – e.shaw@imperial.ac.uk

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